The first case is for the heliograph which in this case had mirrors with a 5" diameter. In theory it would be capable of transmitting signals up to 50 miles in the daytime and 10-25 miles at night with the proper moon. Saw main military service from roughly 1850-1920 but were also still in use through the end of WWII in some of the desert regions of North Africa and in India.
The U.S. Calvary used them in the American West and the Mounties may also have used them for regions in Canada where telegraph services didn't always exist before the turn of the century.
Not sure on the second case.
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David Gordon - MVPA # 15292
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